Season for Love

by Marie Force

  “It’s true what they say.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “The minute you see the baby, you forget all about what you went through to have him.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever forget it. You were amazing, honey.”

  “So were you.” She tipped her head back for a kiss. “I never could’ve done it without you.”

  He caressed her face. “Yes, you could have.”

  Victoria popped her head into the room. “We’ve got some anxious grandparents and an uncle out here waiting to meet the new arrival. Mind if I show them in?”

  “Please do,” Laura said.

  Her father and brother escorted Owen’s mother into the room a minute later.

  “Oh, let me see him,” Frank said, leaning over the bedrail for a closer look at his new grandson. “He’s beautiful.”

  “Your daughter was amazing, Frank,” Owen said. “A true warrior goddess.”

  “I have no doubt,” Frank said, kissing Laura’s cheek. “She always has been. Are you okay, honey?”

  “Never been better.”

  “What’ll you name him?” Sarah asked as the baby curled a hand around her finger.

  “I was thinking about Francis,” Laura said.

  “Absolutely not!” Frank and Shane said together.

  “Why not?”

  “That’s an awful name to pin on a little guy,” Shane said. He’d joined them at the hotel right before Christmas and had become an invaluable member of the renovation team. He was also helping Mac and Luke with the installation of new laundry and restroom facilities at the marina and had committed to staying on through the spring to help out with the new low-income houses they’d be building on the Chesterfield property.

  “I want to name him after you,” Laura said to her father.

  “And I’m honored, honey. I truly am, but don’t do that to him. Give him a good, strong first name, and I’ll allow Francis as a middle name.”

  “He still thinks he’s the boss of me,” Laura said to Owen and Sarah, who laughed.

  Sarah laughed more often now that her bruises had healed. Her husband was prohibited to have any contact with her as the case wound its way through the courts. Laura would’ve been lost without Sarah the last few months as the pregnancy made it impossible for her to do half the things that needed to be done at the hotel. Sarah had stepped in ably, throwing herself into the project with a passion Owen said he’d never seen from her before.

  After growing up in the hotel, Sarah had many stories to share, such as the one about the second-floor guestroom where a young couple had spent their only two nights as a married couple before he shipped off to World War II. He’d been killed nine months later without ever seeing his young wife again. Laura had suggested they name the room after the couple, an idea Sarah, Adele and Owen had loved.

  That had led to a mission to the basement, where Adele had told Laura she would find much of the original furnishings in storage as well as logbooks full of stories about other guests who’d come and gone over the years.

  Laura and Sarah had spent many a cozy winter day in front of the fire, thumbing through the yellowed books, mining for nuggets they could use to tell the story of the fabled hotel. Each room now bore the name of a guest who’d celebrated a significant milestone there, along with a framed telling of the guest’s story inside the room.

  Enlisting the help of Evan and Grant, Owen and Shane had moved much of the original furniture out of the basement. After she returned from her honeymoon to the Bahamas in January, Syd had deemed some pieces salvageable while others were relegated to the junk pile.

  As the winter unfolded, the renovation had progressed along with Laura’s pregnancy, until Owen and Sarah had proclaimed her on maternity leave a week before the baby’s arrival.

  Since she was too big and ungainly to be of much use to anyone, she’d ceded to their wishes and allowed Owen to wait on her hand and foot, the way he had in their early months together when she’d been so sick in the mornings.

  And now, looking down at her baby son, she was filled with gratitude for the many blessings in her life and apprehensive about the phone call she needed to make.

  “I have to call Justin.”

  “Yes.” Owen disentangled himself from her and got off the bed, stretching out the kinks from hours of supporting her through the most strenuous part of her labor. He rooted around in the bag she’d packed for the hospital, produced her cell phone and handed it to her. “We’ll give you some privacy,” he said, leaning over to kiss her and then the baby.

  “Thank you.”

  Frank, Sarah and Shane kissed Laura and the baby before they followed Owen from the room.

  “What do you think?” she whispered to the baby, who watched her every move with unseeing eyes. She’d read that it would take a while for his vision to become clear. “Should we call your other daddy and let him know you’ve arrived?”

  Even all these months later, the idea of speaking to Justin filled her belly with butterflies.

  He answered on the first ring. “Laura?”

  “Yes, it’s me, and a brand new baby boy calling to say hello.”

  “Oh. Wow. Are you okay?”

  “We’re great.” She couldn’t take her eyes off the miracle in her arms, who pursed his tiny pink lips as if engaged in deep thought. “He’s got your dark hair.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Don’t get too excited. I read that the hair they’re born with often falls out in the first few months.”

  “Will you send me some pictures?”

  “Of course.”

  “What will you name him?”

  “I was going to name him Francis after my father, but he won’t hear of it. He says it’s an awful name to give a little kid.”

  “I have to agree with him.”

  “I figured you might. Any suggestions?”

  “I’ve always been partial to Matthew or maybe John.”

  “Matthew Francis Newsome?” Laura said, gauging the baby’s reaction. “I don’t think he likes it.”

  “It does sound kind of boring. What do you like? Didn’t you have a list of names going from the time you were a little kid?”

  “Yes,” she said, touched that he’d remembered. “I like Holden and Austin.”

  “Both good strong names. What does he think?”

  Laura smiled at the way Justin was accommodating her whimsy. They’d come a long way in the last few months and were trying to work out their differences amicably. Laura suspected he’d met someone new, which had facilitated his newfound willingness to compromise—that and the pressure the senior partner at his firm had put on him not to further irritate Judge Frank McCarthy.

  “I got a gurgle on Holden but not much of a reaction to Austin.”

  “Then Holden it is. Holden Francis Newsome?”

  “Holden Francis Newsome,” she said to the baby and watched in delight as he tried to kick his legs within the tight confines of the blanket. “I think we’ve got a winner.”

  “Thanks for allowing me to be a part of that, Laura. I know I haven’t done much to endear myself to you in the last nine months, but I’m glad to hear you and the baby are well.”

  “Thank you,” she said, moved by the effort he was making.

  “Your dad has something with him that I asked him to give you after the baby arrived.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Signed divorce papers.”

  Laura gasped. Despite the effort they’d both been making to be more civil, she’d thought they were still a long way from brokering a settlement in the divorce. “What changed?”

  “You won’t believe it, but my mom had a come-to-Jesus conversation with me,” he said, sounding sheepish. “Apparently, she heard about what happened between us from Mrs. Harrigan.”

  “Ahhh,” Laura said. Mrs. Harrigan’s daughter Tamara had been one of the bridesmaids who’d set up the phony date with Justin.

  “S
he was extremely disappointed, and by the time she was through with me, I was ashamed of myself.”

  Laura winced, imagining the scene. “Your mom is one to be reckoned with.”

  “Indeed.” His tone sounded almost regretful. “She also reminded me that we’ve got a child to consider, and it’s best for him if we make an attempt to be civil.”

  “I completely agree. Thank you—and your mom.” Laura couldn’t believe this was happening. “What about the custody arrangement?”

  “I agreed to your request—occasional weekends when he’s older, alternating holidays, two weeks in the summer. I want to be part of his life, even if I’m no longer a part of yours.”

  “As long as we share a child, you’ll always be part of my life, Justin.”

  “I suppose you’ll want to marry the surfer dude once you’re free of me.”

  She smiled at the way he described Owen. If only he knew how much substance the “surfer dude” brought to their relationship. “We haven’t gotten that far.” As long as she was still married to Justin, there hadn’t been much point in discussing their future.

  “I’d like to come see the baby in the next week or so. Whenever you’re up for it.”

  “Of course. I’ll call you when we’re home and settled.”

  “Thank you for giving me a son, Laura. I’m sorry for what happened between us. I regret that I hurt you—and I felt that way before my mother laid into me.”

  “Things work out the way they’re meant to.”

  Owen stuck his head in the door, and Laura waved him in.

  “I really believe that,” she added to Justin.

  “Don’t forget to send pictures.”

  “I won’t.”

  He paused for a moment before he said, “You may not believe this, Laura, but I did love you, and I married you for the right reasons. Afterward, I don’t know what happened… I freaked out, I guess. I couldn’t believe you actually left me.”

  Astounded, she said, “What did you think I’d do when I found out what you were up to?”

  “I never expected you to find out. It was stupid. In hindsight, I wasn’t ready to be married, but I was so afraid of losing you. And then when I did…I behaved badly, and I’m sorry about that. I really am.”

  “It’s in the past now,” Laura said, filled with relief that they were finally moving past the ugliness. “All that matters now is this beautiful baby who needs both his parents in his life.”

  “He’ll have us both,” Justin said. “Take care of yourself. And the baby.”

  “I will.” Laura ended the call and realized she had tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Owen’s sunny disposition immediately darkened. “Did he say something to upset you?”

  “Quite the opposite. Apparently, he signed the divorce papers. My dad has them with him.”

  Owen’s mouth fell open, and his gray eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Nope.”

  “He really signed the papers.”

  Laura laughed at his reaction. “That’s what he said.”

  “And the custody agreement?”

  “That, too.”

  Owen’s whoop startled the baby, who’d been dozing in his mother’s arms. He let out a lusty wail of dismay.

  “Sorry,” Owen said sheepishly.

  “That’s okay. He’s probably hungry anyway.” She shifted on the bed, and her entire body protested the movement. “God, everything hurts.”

  “Let me help you.” He took the baby until she was able to find a more comfortable position.

  Laura wiggled her way out of the hospital gown, freeing breasts that had become embarrassingly large in the final weeks of her pregnancy. When she was ready, she reached for the baby. “Let’s give this a whirl, shall we?” It took several attempts, but the baby finally latched on.

  “Would you look at that?” Owen seemed awestruck by the sight of the baby’s tiny mouth tugging on her nipple. “Does it hurt?”

  “No, but it feels kind of weird.”

  “I suppose it will until you get used to it.” He brushed her hair back from her face and leaned in to kiss her softly. “You’ve never been more beautiful than you are right now.”

  Laura released an unsteady laugh. “You might need to invest in some glasses, Mr. Lawry.”

  Shaking his head, he stole another kiss and ran a finger over her breast, tracing a vein that stood out vividly against her pale skin. “Gorgeous.” He turned his attention to the baby, letting his finger glide over the dampness on his little cheek. “What’s his name?”

  “Holden Francis.”

  “Holden. I like it. It suits him.”

  “I think so, too.” The baby chose that moment to release her nipple. Laura lifted him so Owen could kiss the baby’s forehead. “Holden, say hello to your second daddy.” Knowing the role Owen planned to play in her child’s life, the title of stepfather didn’t seem appropriate, so Laura had long ago decided that her child would have two daddies, and that would be that.

  “Very nice to finally meet you, Holden,” Owen said, shaking his little hand gently. “So what brought on Justin’s change of heart?”

  “Apparently, his mother laid into him and told him to do what was best for the baby.”

  “Thank goodness someone finally got through to him.”

  “He was very nice just now.” She glanced at Owen. “He told me he did love me but wasn’t ready to be married. It was nice to hear that he married me for the right reasons.”

  “Of course he did, Princess. That’s why he was such an ass when you left. I’d go batshit crazy if you ever left me, so I get that.”

  “No worries about me going anywhere. I’m afraid you’re stuck with us.”

  Owen leaned in to steal a kiss. “Thank God for that.”

  Laura transferred the baby to her other breast. When he latched on like an old pro, she smiled up at Owen. “Check him out. He’s clearly gifted.”

  “Clearly,” Owen said, amused by her delight. “So when will this divorce of yours be final?”

  “Six months.”

  He counted on his fingers. “August.”

  She nodded.

  “That’d be a fine time for a wedding on our new deck at the Surf, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Laura could almost feel the soft summer breeze on her face and pictured the sun setting over the ocean. “I’d say that sounds about perfect.”

  “Consider it a plan.”

  “You don’t like to make plans,” she teased.

  “That was the old me. The new me is all about making plans, as long as they include you and the little guy.” Somehow he managed to get on the bed with them and arrange her so he was supporting her and the baby, surrounding them with his love. “This, right here, is about as close to perfect as it gets.” As he spoke, his lips brushed against her forehead in a soft kiss.

  She leaned her head on his chest, happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Yes, it is.”

  Turn the page for a special added extra short story: A Gansett Island Wedding. . .

  A Gansett Island Wedding

  Sydney Donovan

  &

  Luke Harris

  invite you to join them as they

  exchange wedding vows on Christmas Eve

  at their home on Gansett Island

  Ceremony at 7 p.m.

  Reception immediately following

  All day, Luke had expected to feel nervous. At thirty-seven, he was about to be married for the first time, to the woman he’d spent half a lifetime waiting for. Now, as he donned the jacket to the black suit Syd had picked out for him during a trip to the mainland, Luke still didn’t feel nervous. He was ready to take this step with the only woman he’d ever loved.

  The one thing that would’ve made this day completely perfect was if his mother had lived to see it. She’d always loved Syd and had championed their teenage romance, while the Donovans had disapproved. Her support had meant the world to them back then, and
it would’ve pleased her greatly to know they’d ended up together after a long and winding road. He’d given Syd his mother’s diamond earrings as a wedding gift and couldn’t wait to see how they looked on her.

  A knock on the bedroom door had Luke turning away from the mirror. “Come in.”

  Mac McCarthy stepped into the room, also dressed in a dark suit with a red tie in deference to the season. With him was his father, Big Mac, who’d been the closest thing Luke had ever had to a father of his own.

  “You clean up well, Mr. Harris,” Mac said.

  “Same to you, Mr. McCarthy.”

  “You both look pretty good for a couple of ugly dudes,” Big Mac said.

  “Gee, thanks, Dad.” Mac held up the red rose boutonniere that matched the one on his lapel. “I’m told it’s my job as the best man to make sure your flower’s on straight.”

  “Do your worst.” Luke forced himself to stand still while Mac attempted to secure the stem.

  “Step aside, son,” Big Mac said. “Let an expert handle this.” Big Mac had the flower in place ten seconds later. “There.”

  “I could’ve done that if you’d given me a chance,” Mac muttered.

  Luke looked up at the older man. “Thank you.” There was more he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come. Apparently, he didn’t need words, because Big Mac understood. He always did.

  Big Mac patted Luke’s face and hugged him. “Congratulations, son.”

  Luke clung to him for a brief moment and then pulled back before he humiliated himself by bawling like a baby. His every emotion was hovering on the surface today, threatening to break free at any second.

  Mac rested his hands on Luke’s shoulders. “Are you ready?”

  “Yep.” Luke retrieved a jeweler’s box from his dresser that contained both rings and handed it to Mac. “Don’t lose them.”

  Mac laughed. “I’ll see if I can hold on to them for the next twenty minutes.”

  “Thanks, Mac. For being my best man and for being such a good friend.”

  Mac replied with a back-slapping hug. “My pleasure. I’m happy for you, man.” He straightened Luke’s tie. “Syd will be here any minute.”